Boating in Santa Clara County Reservoirs

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE LAUNCHING ANY VESSEL/FLOAT ON A SANTA CLARA COUNTY RESERVOIR:

A VESSEL INSPECTION IS REQUIRED:

All vessels and floats placed upon a Santa Clara County Reservoir must pass a vessel inspection prior to launching. To pass inspection, your vessel must be “clean and dry”. “Clean and dry” means that no dirt, vegetation, or water can be found anywhere on the vessel. This includes internal compartments of the vessel and the engine. When your outboard is lowered, not a drop of water can flow out. If any water is observed anywhere, however slight, your vessel will fail inspection!

For more information on our Vessel Inspection Program and vessel registrations, view here​.

VESSEL REGISTRATION:

All vessel owners must present current original registration issued by the DMV to park staff before proceeding to a mussel inspection station. Registration must be:

Current

Registered in a permissible California county (North of the Tehachapi Mountain Range). Vessels with out-of-state registrations will not be allowed to launch. See map below for more information on restricted counties.

*A Mussel Fee Sticker is required for registered vessels from the CA DMV. View ​Here​ for more information.

** For unregistered (non-CF) vessels, the registered county of the transporting vehicle will be used to determine eligibility. Vehicle registration paperwork will be required.

*** Owners who have purchased a used vessel are quarantined for 30 days from the date of registration. If you do not have credible evidence that you have possessed your used vessel for 30 days, you will not be permitted to launch ***

RESERVOIR BOATING STATUS:

Status of Reservoirs:

​​Anderson and Coyote Lake are closed to boating for the season. Calero, Lexington and Stevens Creek Reservoirs remain open for boating.

All other reservoirs and bodies of water in Santa Clara County are closed indefinitely to all vessels and floats - these include: Almaden, Chesbro, Sandy Wool, Cottonwood, Grant, Guadalupe, Uvas, and Vasona.

View the Park Closures Website HERE or call (408) 355-2201 before you travel to make sure your reservoir of choice is open.

BOATING HOURS:

​Boating is permitted on Santa Clara County Parks’ Reservoirs from 8am to ½ Hour before sunset.

LAUNCH RELATED FEES:

All Vessels, Stand-up Paddle Boards, Float Tubes, and RC Boats are Subject to Use Fees Prior to Launch on Any Santa Clara County Reservoir. Annual passes can be purchased at the main Parks Administration Building, 298 Garden Hill Drive - Los Gatos, CA 95032, or at a staffed park’s entrance station kiosk.

Vehicle Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle. Annual passes also available for $95 per vehicle.

RESERVATIONS (Anderson and Calero Reservoirs Only): Vessel launch reservations ($8 per reservation) are strongly encouraged on Anderson and Calero reservoirs starting weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Vessel launch reservation fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.​ Please view here​ for more information on how to make a reservation.